The Ogun State branch of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has sought stronger collaboration with the state Police Command to address the growing challenges posed by land grabbing activities in the state.
The surveyors made the request during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Dr Lanre Ogunlowo, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, according to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Omolola Odutola.
The NIS delegation highlighted the daily struggles faced by surveyors in their profession, especially incidents whereby they are wrongfully arrested while lawfully carrying out their duties on disputed lands.
They appealed for police intervention in cases where their members are wrongfully arrested alongside land grabbing factions, despite being legally employed for surveying assignments.
They expressed displeasure at being seen as land sellers, clarifying that their actual role is in land planning, demarcation, and delineation, rather than granting titles or ownership.
They also spoke on their exposure to threats, harassment, and violence from touts and criminal elements during site inspections, emphasising the urgent need for public enlightenment on the role of surveyors in land matters.
The surveyors also advocated for wider professional engagement to reduce the reliance on untrained individuals who escalate land disputes into violent conflicts.
Responding, CP Ogunlowo acknowledged the widespread menace of land grabbing and assured the NIS delegation of the Command’s commitment to protecting lawful surveyors.
He advised the surveyors to refrain from colluding with notorious land grabbers or falsifying survey plans to favour any disputing party, as, according to him, such actions amount to forgery, a punishable offence under Nigerian criminal laws.
The police commissioner enjoined them to ensure strict professional ethics, as the police would only support registered, law-abiding surveyors.
He notified them of land disputes being strictly civil matters, except when violence or use of dangerous weapons by criminal elements are introduced, while the rightful place to resolve disputes remains the court of law.
The Commissioner of Police assured the surveyors that the police would continue to support genuine professionals while taking decisive action against illegal actors involved in land disputes.
